Suction cleaner



Oct. 10, 1950 G. A. BRACE 2,525,283

SUCTION CLEANER Fil'ed Oct. 2, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 g INVENTOR.

fiearg/e Aofirm ATTORNEY.

Oct. 10, 1950 G. A. BRACE 2,525,283

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Oct. 2, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOB. George A.Brace BY //d/$Z ATTORNEY.

Oct. 10, 1950 e. A. BRACE 2,525,283

I SUCTION CLEANER Filed Oct. 2, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. George A. Brace ATTORNEY.

Oct. 10, 1950 G, A, BRACE 2,525,283

SUCTION CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 2-, 194a INVENTOR. George A .Brace BY 7 My W ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 10, 1950 SUCTION CLEANER George A. Brace, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application October 2, 1948, Serial No. 52,495

19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to means for controlling the position of the handle relative to the body of the cleaner.

Many present day cleaners have the handle pivoted to the rear of the cleaner body. With such cleaners it is necessary to positively lock the handle in its vertical storage position in order to use the handle in carrying the cleaner from place to place. When the handle is positively locked in storage position some means must be provided for releasing the locking means when it is desired to use the cleaner.

According to the present invention a simple mechanism is provided for locking the handle of a suction cleaner in storage position whereby the cleaner may be carried about by the handle, and yet is easily released by a slight downward bodily movement of the handle. This type of locking mechanism is particularly advantageous and simple because the locking and releasing mechanism is concentrated in the'handle mounting obviating the necessity for additional mechanism in other parts of the cleaner for releasing the locking means. Moreover, release of the locking means merely by downward bodily movement of the handle renders the control very simple to operate because of the natural tendency of the operator to press downwardly on the handle to release it for movement to its normal operating range.

According to another feature of this invention, means are provided for holding the handle in a convenient rest position at the lower end of the normal operating range when released by the user. stop when it is desired to move the handle to the lower operating range as, for example, when cleaning under beds or other low objects. Further, according to this invention the handle may 55.) Yet the handle easily over-rides the rest be returned to its normal operating range simply by raising the handle past the rest stop.

According to this invention the handle is'so pivoted to the body of the cleaner that it may be moved bodily axially when in storage position to release it for movement from storage position but when moved from storage position it is rigidly held against axial movement but is free to pivot relative to the cleaner body. Further, in a simplified embodiment of this invention, the foregoing is accomplished solely by the pivotal connection between the handle and the body of the cleaner.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds 2 1 when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one embodiment of this invention and includes a diminutive view of a suction cleaner;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the handle pivot and locking means on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the handle sector with certain parts broken away to show the interior mechanism;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. '1 showing a modification of the invention;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on line 5 -5 of Fig. 4; v

Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 showing a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure '7 is a cross-sectional view on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the pivot pin; and

Figure 9 is an exploded view of a portion of the pivot assembly of Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 represents the body of a cleaner. The body I0 is carried by rear wheels H and front wheels [2. The rear wheels Il may be rigidly attached to the body [0 or may be of the resiliently mounted type as desired. Forwardly of the front wheels I2 is a suction nozzle 13 which is connected by a suction passageway to the eye of a suction fan (not shown) which discharges its dust-laden air through a discharge outlet I4 into a dust filtering bag in a well known manner. The suction fan is driven by a motor housed within a hood l5 suitably secured to the body It). An agitator is preferably rotatably mounted in the nozzle l3 and is driven by an endless belt surrounding an extension of the fan shaft as is well known in the art.

Secured to the rear of the main casing 10 and extending upwardly therefrom are a pair of brackets 16. Pivotally mounted between the brackets I6 by a pivot pin ll is a handle socket generally indicated by the reference numeral l8.

Socket [8 comprises a female connector I9 for receiving the lower end of a handle 20, flat side walls 2| and a generally cylindrical wall 22 connecting the side walls 2|.

The side walls 2! are slotted as at 23 to permit slight downward movement of socket H for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Socket IB is normally held in its uppermost position by a com- 'pression spring 24, abutting at its upper end against the bracket 25 secured to the side walls 2| in any suitable manner such as by welding.

Spring 24 must be of sufficient strength to support the handle weight and any attachments. If desired, tabs struck inwardly from side walls 2| may serve in lieu of bracket 25. The lower end of spring 24 rests on a lever 26 pivoted between the walls 2| by a pin 21. The spring 24 urges the lever 26 against pivot pin l1 and supports the weight of the handle. Hence, pin I! normally rests in the lower ends of slots 23. It will, of course, be understood that spring 24 is of sufficient strength to more than support the weight of the handle and its associated parts.

The end of lever 26 opposite pivot 21 pivotally carries a latch release dog 28, the lower end of which extends through an opening in a guide 29 struck inwardly from cylindrical wall 22 of socket l8. The lower end of dog 28 cooperates with a latch detent 36', mounted for reciprocation in a guide 3| secured to the casing l and is springpressed upwardly by leaf spring 32 also secured to the casing I0.

I Cooperating with the latch detent 38 is a roller detent 33 secured by pin 34 between the side walls 2| of socket I8 in alignment with the handle and the spring 24. An arcuate member 35 is secured between the brackets l6 and forms a guide for the roller 33 and prevents axial movement of handle 2| at all times except when it is in Or near to locked position. The latch detent 30 has an inclined cam surface 36 so that the roller 33 can over-ride it and engage behind detent 3i) and positively lock the handle against pivotal movement with respect to the cleaner body.

Intermediate the ends of the guide 35 is a spring pressed detent 3! operable to support the handle in an inclined rest position. This detent has opposite cam surfaces 38 by operation of which roller 33 may be moved past the detent 3 in either direction by a slight pressure on the handle 20 in accordance with known practice.

Operation of Figures 1, 2, and 3 Assume that the handle is in vertical storage position as shown in full lines of Fig. 1. As will be noted, the cleaner may be carried about by handle 20 without danger of the cleaner bodypivoting downwardly. While the weight of the cleaner, including the casing i8, is forward of the pivot pin Il, the roller 33 being engaged behind the latch detent 30 will positively lock the handle with respect to the cleaner and prevent downward pivoting thereof.

If it is desired to release the handle it is merely necessary for the operator to apply a Slight downward pressure prior to pivoting it toward the normal operating range. The downward pressure will move the handle bodily downward compressing spring 24 and causing socket Hi to move downwardly relative to pivot pin I! as permitted by slots 23. Downwardmovement of the socket will carry pivot pin 21 downward and cause lever 26 carrying dog 28 to pivot clockwise. As dog 28 moves downward through guide 29 it will engage the latch detent 30 and press it downwardly against the bias of spring 32 until it clears the roller 33. The simultaneous downward and rearward pressure On the handle will then move roller 33 to over-ride the depressed detent and onto guide track 35. The axial pressure on the handle may now be released. As will be apparent, the handle is locked against axial movement while in any operating position by reason of roller 33, guide track 35 and pivot pin l1,

The handle may then be used in normal fashion to propel the cleaner over the surface to be cleaned, the roller 33 moving in the lower are formed by the guide 35. The handle may be released voluntarily or otherwise but will be held in an inclined position slightly below the normal working range through operation of spring pressed detent 3'l' on roller 33. If, however, it is desired to clean under a bed or other low object, slight downward pressure on the handle will cause roller 33 to over-ride detent 31. Slight reverse pressure on the handle will move it back to its normal working position above detent 31. Continued upward rotation of the handle will cause the roller 33 to engage cam surface 36 of locking detent 3a and press it downwardly whereby the roller 33 will move behind the detent 3|] and positively lock the handle in an upright position.

The modification of Figs. 4 and 5 is similar to that of Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals and will not be redescribed.

In this modification the spring 24 engages a saddle plate 43 seated on pivot pin ii and provides a spring mounting for socket l8 and handle 20 when in its vertical position. A latch detent 4| is pivoted between the brackets H; by a pin 42 and is spring-biased counter-clockwise by a spring 43. The cylindrical wall 22 of the socket has a shoulder 44 positioned to engage detent 4| to disengage it from roller detent 33 as will be described hereinafter. Immediately to the rear of the roller 33 the cylindrical wall 22 is extended inwardly at 45 so as to clear the detent 37 when the handle is lowered below its inclined rest position. Latch detent 4| has a cam surface 43 shaped to permit roller 33 to over-ride the detent downwardly when the handle is returned to storage position.

Operation of Figures 4 and 5 The operation of the modification of Figs. 4 and 5 is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2. Slight downward and rearward pressure on the handle 20 will compress spring 24 and permit the handle to move downward about pivot pin I! by reason of slot 23 in socket l8. Shoulder 44 of the wall 22 will engage the latch detent 4| and pivot it clockwise until it clears the roller 33. Rearward pressure on the handle 2!] will then rotate roller 33 over the end of detent 4| into the space formed by the guide 35. The handle may be lowered past rest detent 37 in the same manner as described above in connection with Figs. 1 to 3'. To look the handle positively against pivotal movement with respect to the cleaner body it is merely necessary to raise the handle to a vertical position. As the handle approaches the vertical position, roller '33 will engage cam 46 of latch detent 4|. pivoting it clockwise permitting roller 33 to move behind the detent 4| to lock the handle positively in storage position.

Figures 6 to 9; inclusive A handle socket 52 is pivotally journaled in openings 55 of brackets 50 and by means of a pin 53 shown in detail in Fig. 8. The bearing portions of pin 53 are cut away at 54 to form a pair of locking detents 55. Detents 55 are receivable in notches 57 formed at the top of openings 55 in the handle brackets for a purpose which will presently appear. The side wall 58 of socket 52 has an opening 59 of the same shape and size as one of the cut away ends of the pin 53 while the other side wall 68 has a round opening to receive a cylindrical portion of pin 53.

It will therefore be clear that pin 53 rotates with the handle and socket 52. Thus, due to the pre-selected orientation of opening 59 in socket wall 58, detents 55 on the pivot pin will coincide with notches 5'! in brackets 58, 5| when the handle is in the desired locking position. As shown, this is the vertical position of the cleaner handle. Obviously, it could be disposed at any angle to the vertical if advantageous for any reason. Between side walls 58 and 60 of socket 52 is a U-shaped bracket generally indicated by the reference numeral 5|. This bracket comprises upwardly extending legs 62 having circular open- Spring 59 is of greater strength than required 3 to support the weight of the handle and its asso ciated parts so that the detents 55 will be moved upwardly into notches 5'! when the handle is in its vertical storage position.

The downwardly struck tab 65 has taperedshoulders '82 which coact with lugs 13 carried by the bracket 55 to limit upward movement of bracket Si and the cleaner handle when the latter is in looking position. Lugs 13 also cooperate with the sides of tab 65 to prevent rotation of bracket 5| when the handle is pivoted.

The pin 53 has a circumferential groove 14 near one end to receive a spring keeper 15 to hold the parts in assembled relationship as will be eX- plained hereinafter. extension 56 supporting a counterbalancing spring Tl having one end anchored to a lug 18 extending from the bracket and its other end anchored to a pin 19 carried by the side wall 58 of the housing 52 and extending through an arcuate slot 80 in bracket 50. It will be apparent spring (I may surround the pivot pin at a point within socket 52 if preferred. In this event extension 15 and pin 19 may be omitted.

The side wall 58 of the housing 52 has a short rounded protuberance 8| positioned to abut one end of pin 67 when the handle is at a desired inclined rest position such as indicated in Fig. 5. A longer hook-shaped protuberance 82 on wall 58 of the socket contacts pin 61 when the handle is in a horizontal position and acts as a positive stop aganist further downward pivoting of the handle.

In assembling the handle pivot, U-shaped member 5| is slid upwardly into socket 52 until the openings in its legs are in alignment with openings 59 in side walls 58 and 60 of socket 52. Extension 15 of the pin 53 is then inserted through the opening in the wall 60 until the shoulders formed by the cutouts 54 abut portions Pin 53 also has a headed r of wall 58 adjacent opening 59 which acts as a stop against further axial movement of the pin. Keeper T5 is then snapped into the groove 14 in the pin 55. I Groove 14 is positioned so that the keeper will bear against the left hand leg 52 of bracket 5| and thereby lock pin 53 in assembled position. The remainder of the assembly operation is believed to be obvious and need not be explained in detail.

Operation of Figures 6 to 9 inclusive With the handle in storage position detent portions 55 of the pin 53 will. be held upwardly in notches 5'? formed in the upper edges of openings 55 in brackets 55, 5| by spring 69 so as to lock the handle positively against pivotal movement with respect to the cleaner body. It is obvious that in such a position the cleaner may be carried about by handle 20 without danger ofv the cleaner pivoting downward.

Now, if it is desired to move the handle backwardly to its position of use it is only necessary to push downwardly on the handle with a slight pressure causing detents 55 to move downward out of the notches 5i and simultaneously pulling rearwardly on the handle. Immediately upon pivoting the handle, pin 53 and detents 55 will be rotated out or" coincidence with notches 57. Thereafter, the openings in bracket 6| and thosein brackets 55 and 5| will provide a circular bear-- ing for the pivot pin and prevent lost motion between the handle and cleaner throughout all operating positions of the handle. During this operation it will be understood that the pivot pin moves with the handle by reason of the looking action between the cut away end of the pin and irregular opening 59 in the handle socket. Likewise, U-bracket 5| will be held against rotation by the coaction between tab 55 thereon and lugs '53 on bracket 58.

The spring Ti has sufficient strength to counterbalance the weight of the handle and its associated parts to a, substantial degree. However, should the operator release the handle it will drop until the lug engages the pin 67 which will prevent further downward pivoting of the handle unless slight manual pressure is applied thereto. In this event lug 8i over-rides pin 61 as the lat-- ter is forced downwardly in the slot 55 against the bias of spring 55. The handle may then be moved downwardly to a substantially horizontal position for cleaning under beds and other low objects. Downward movement of the handle is limited by the engagement of the hooked-shaped lug 82 with the pin 5?.

Reverse movement of the handle to its normal working range will likewise cause the protuberance 8! to depress the pin El as the protuberance over-rides it. Should the handle be returned to a vertical position, spring 55 automatically raises the handle and its associated parts as soon as the detents 55 coincides with notches 5'! to lock the handle positively against pivotal movement until released by an operator-applied downward pressure.

It can be seen that by the modification of Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, the pivot itself permits limited longitudinal movement of the handle when it is in its vertical storage position to release it for movement from that position and when the handle is moved from that position the pivot rigidly holds thehandle against longitudinal movement.

From the foregoing it can be seen that this invention provides simple handle control for a suction cleaner in which the handle is automatically and positively locked whenever the handle is brought to a, predetermined non-operatin position so that the cleaner may be carried about by the handle; in which the handle control mechanism is entirely housed within the handle socket; in which the handle may be released from locked position by a simple downward and rearward movement thereof; and in which a lost motion connection between the handle and cleaner when the handle is in a locking position is converted to a pivotal connection without any lost motion when the handle is in any cleaner operating position.

While I have shown but three modifications of my invention it is to be understood that these modifications are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. I do not wish to be limited to the particular structure shown and described but to include all equivalent variations thereof except as limited by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A suction cleaner comprising, a body, a handle pivotally and axially slidably attached to the rear of said body, latch means for positively looking said handle in a, storage position, spring means for biasing said handle upwardly when in its storage position, and means operable to release said latch means by downward movement of said handle against the bias of said spring means.

2. A suction cleaner according to claim l in cluding means for preventing axial movement of said handle except when said handle is in said storage position.

3. A suction cleaner according to claim 2 including resilient means for normally holding said handle in a rest position at the lower end oi the normal handle operating range, said means being operable to release said handie for movement to a lower operating range.

4. A suction cleaner comprising, a body, a handle pivoted to said body rearwardly of the center of gravity thereof, said handle being movable from a. storage position to an inclined operating range, said handle also being axially movable a short distance toward said body, means normally biasing said handle against said axial movement, latch means for automatically and positively looking said handle in said storage position whereby said cleaner may be carried about by said handle, latch releasing means carried by said handle and operable upon downward axial movement of said handle against said biasing means whereby said handle is released for movement from said storage position for movement to said operating range.

5. A suction cleaner according to claim 4 including guide means for preventing axial movement of said handle when in said operating range and means associated with said guide means for normally preventing downwardly pivotal movement of said handle past said operating range, said means being operable to release said handle for movement therepast and back again upon the application of a non-axial force to said handle.

6. A suction cleaner comprising, a body, a handle, means for pivotally attaching said handle to said body, said attaching means including a socket carried by said handle and a pivot pin carried by said body, said socket being mounted for sliding movement relative to said pivot pin axially of said handle, means biasing said socket against axial sliding movement, a roller detent carried by said socket, a movable latch carried by said body for engagement with said detent for positively locking said handle in a storage position 8 and means carried by said socket and operable upon sliding movement thereof against said biasing means for moving said latch out of engagement with said detent to permit pivotal movement of said handle from said storage position.

'7. A suction cleaner according to claim 6 including track means carried by said body for said roller detent when said handle is pivoted from said storage position to an operating range, said track means being so formed as to prevent axial movement of said socket and handle when the latter is in other than saidstorage position.

8. A suction cleaner according to claim 7 including detent means carried by said track means positioned to engage said roller detent to normally prevent movement of said handle past its normal inclined operating position and operable upon the application of force to said handle to release said handle for movement to a different operating range.

9. A suction cleaner comprising, a body, a handle, a housing carried by the lower end of said handle, a pivot pin for pivotally attaching said housing to said body rearwardly of the center of gravity thereof, said housing having pivot pin receiving slots extending parallel to the handle axis, spring means for biasing said housing and handle against axial movement relative to said pivot pin, a roller detent carried by said housing, a spring-biased locking detent carried by said body and positioned to engage said roller detent when said handle is in its storage position to positively lock said handle in that position and releasing means carried by said housing and positioned to engage said locking detent and move it from the path of said roller detent upon downward movement of said'handle against the bias of said spring means to permit movement of said handle from its vertical storage position, said locking detent having a cam surface adapted to be engaged by said roller detent upon return movement of said handle to storage position to move said locking detent out of the path of said roller detent as said handle is returned to its vertical storage position.

10. A suction cleaner according to claim 9 in which said releasing means comprises a lever pivoted on said housing intermediate its ends, one end of said lever being positioned for actuation by said pivot pin, a, releasing arm having one end pivoted to the other end of said lever and its opposite end positioned above said looking detent when said cleaner handle is in its storage position, the arrangement being such that bodily axial movement of said handle will pivot said lever to move the lower end of said releasing arm against said locking detent and move it from the path of said roller detent.

11. A suction cleaner according to claim 10 in which said locking detent comprises a pin slidably carried by said body and spring biased into the path of said roller detent when said handle is in its storage position and positioned to be engaged by said releasing arm upon axial movement of said handle when in its storage position,

releasing means comprises lugs carried by said housing positioned to engage said arm and pivot it from the path of said roller detent upon axial movement of said handle when it is in storage position, said arm having a cam surface positioned to be engaged by said roller detent to pivot said arm out of the path of said roller detent upon movement of said handle from its operating range to its storage position.

13. A suction cleaner comprising, a body, a handle slidably and pivotally attached to said body, means for positively locking said handle in a storage position, means operative upon axial movement of said handle when it is in said storage position for releasing said locking means for movement of said handle to an operating range, and arcuate guide carried by said body and positioned to support said handle against axial movement when it is in said operating range, and a spring-pressed detent carried by said arcuate guide for dividing said guide into two sections, one for supporting said handle in a first operating range and the other for supporting said handle in a second operating range, said detent being normally operative to prevent movement of said handle from one operating range to the other and being operable to permit movement of the handle from one working position to the other resistingly.

14. A suction cleaner according to claim 13 in which said locking means comprises a springbiased locking detent carried by said body and a roller detent carried by said handle, the arrangement being such that said locking detent is positioned in front of said roller detent when said handle is in its storage position and said releasing means comprises means carried by said handle for engaging said locking detent and moving it out of the path of said roller detent upon axial movement of said handle when in said storage position, the arrangement being such that said roller detent engages said arcuate guide to prevent axial movement of said handle when said handle is out of said storage position and engages the detent carried by said arcuate guide to normally prevent movement of said handle from one operating range to the other.

15. In combination, an ambulatory body, a handle for propelling said body and a pivotal connection between said handle and said body, said pivotal connection comprising a pivot pin constrained to move with said handle and a bracket on said body having a circular opening therein through which said pivot pin passes, said pivot pin having a non-circular portion formed with a plurality of spaced points lying in the circumference of said opening, said bracket having a notch opening into said circular opening, at least one of said spaced points comprising a detent movable into said notch upon radial movement of said pin to positively lock said handle against pivotal movement relative to said body.

I 16. The combination according to claim 15 including spring means for biasing said pin for radial movement relative to said bracket so as to move said one spaced point into said notch as'it comes into alignment therewith.

17.'In combination with an ambulatory body,

an operating handle therefor journaled by'trunnions to bracket means secured to said body, portions of said trunnions being cut away to form detent means therebetween, a notch in said bracket means to receive said detent means to lock said handle against pivoting with respect to said ambulatory body, and means operable to bias said detent means into said notch.

18. The combination defined in the preceding claim in which said detent on said trunnions is in alignment with said handle whereby said handle may be unlocked by applying an axial force thereto in a direction opposed to said biasing means to move the detent out of said notch.

19. The combination defined in claim 17 in which said notch and said detent are so positioned as to inter-engage and lock said handle when it is pivoted to a non-propelling position with respect to said body whereby the surface of said detent in cooperation with the remaining uncut-away portions of said trunnions is engageable with said bracket journal in all unlocked positions of the handle to transmit propelling forces from said handle to said ambulatory body.

Y GEO. A. BRACE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

